Electrolytic lightning-arrester.



R. P. JACKSON.

ELECTROLYTIC LIGHTNING ARRESTER.

APPLICATION FlLED JULY 24,1914.

1 1 77,335 Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR w/ycw/ fl P Jac%50/1 THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (20., WASHINGTON, D. C.

r of the conductors.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrion.

RAY I. JACKSON, OF EDGEWOOD PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

i ELECTROLYTIC LIGHTNING-ARRESTEB.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar. 28, 1916.

Application filed July 24, 1914. Serial No. 852,794.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. RAY P. JACKSON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Edgewood Park, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electrolytic Lightning-Arresters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to protective devices for electrical systems. and more particularly to electrolytic lightning arresters which are connected between the conductors of the system to be protected and ground.

Electrolytic lightning arresters are generally connected to each conductor of a transmission system through spark-gaps which are adapted to break down at voltages slightly above the normal operating voltage WVhen an abnormal potential disturbance occurs upon a conductor, it discharges across the spark gap and passes through the electrolytic lightning arrester to ground. Inasmuch as electrolytic cells require intermittent charging to maintain the films upon the aluminum electrodes effective, and, since the'cells are normally disconnected, through the spark gaps, from theconductors with which they are associated, it is necessary to bridge frequently thespark-gaps in order that current may.

flow through the cells to reform the insulating films on the electrodes.

In affording protection to a transmission system comprising. two or more conductors,

it is usual to connect one terminal of a cell to each conductor. and to connect the other terminal of all the cells to a common or neutral point which, in turn. is connected to -ground through an additionalcell. frequently characterized as the ground cell. In the usual three-phase transmission system comprising three conductors, four electrolytic cells are used, three of which are directly connected to three conductors of the system, and the fourth of which is connected between the neutral or common point of the aforementioned three cells and ground. lVith this arrangement, which is generally known as the multiplex system, it is easy 60 to apply the normal potential of the system to the cells which may be directly connected to'the conductors, but it is impossible to send sufficient current through the ground cell to maintain the insulating films formed on its electrodes in good condition.

The object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a novel arrangement forsubject ing the ground cell to the normal potential of the line in order that the insulating films on the electrodes of all the cells comprising the multiplex, connection may be kept in good condition.

My invention. will best be understood in connection with the following description and the accompanying drawing in which-- Figure l is a diagrammatic view showing my invention as applied to a group of lightning arresters connected to a three-phase transmission system; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View of the same showing electrical connections so interchanged that the ground cell is connected directly to one ofthe conductors for charging purposes, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged View, in elevation, of the switching mechanism by means of Which the electrical connections are controlled.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, three conductors 1, 2 and 3 of a three-phase transmission system are connected through horngap members 4, 5 and 6, respectively, to electrolytic cells which protect the conductors against abnormal potential disturbances. It is apparent that the cells are normally disconnected from the conductors and, therefore, it is essential to bridge the horngap members in order to perform the charging operation. By actuating the mechanism 7 bridging members 8 are advanced upwardly, thereby connecting electrolytic cells 9, 10 and 11 directly to the conductors 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The cells 9, 10 and 11 are connected in any suitable mannerlout preferably through a conducting base 12, which is the usual method.-to a common or neutral point which constitutes the base 12.

A ground cell 13 is connected between the neutral point 12 and a ground connection 14 by means of a switching device. as shown in the drawing and to be hereinafter described.

As shown in Fig. 1, the cell 18 is disposed in the ground leg of the multiplex connection, and, consequently, suflicient current does not pass through it to reform the films upon the aluminum electrodes comprising the cell. Therefore, provision must be made for momentarily connecting the cell 13 to one of the transmission line conductors in order that a momentary flow of current may traverse the cell. To this end, the cell 13 is.

provided with a terminal 15 which is embraced bv a sectional insulating bushing 16. The bushing 16 is of such construction that two superposed contact members or clips 17 and 18 are. provided which areseparated from each other by means of the upper section of the bushing 16; A rotatable transfer switch 19, having one blade 20 connected to ground and another blade 21 connected to the line conductor 3, is interposed-between the cells 11 and 13 and adapted to engage the terminals of said cells. The blades 20 and -21 of the switch 19'-are disposed, one above the other, in suchmanner nected to the conductor 3, engages the upper clip 17 of'the outlet-terminal of the cell l3', while the groundedblade 20 is disconnected entirely from the electrical circuit. A tensional element 23 is so arranged that, when the operators hand is released from the transfer switch 19, the blades-20 and '21 will return to their normal position, as shown'in Fig. 1. It is evident that, when the blade 19 is in the position shown iudiig. 2, the cell 11 is disconrectel from the circuit, and. the cells 9, 10 and 13 are connected in 'Y to the conductors of. the three-phase transmis sion system.

In Fig. 3, I have shown an enlarged-view of my transfer switch and associated termimale of the cells 11 and 13'. It will be seen that, inasmuch as the blade 21 is substantially longer than the blade 2O, the cell 11' isfarther-removed from the switch 19 than thecell '13. This permits the blade '20 to be rotated without engaging the terminal of the cell 11.

lVhile I have shown the transfer switch 11) of a specific construction. it will be apparent that/my system is notlimitjed'to the specific structure of the switch.

Although I have shown and described somewhat in detail an embodiment of-my invention, it will be understood that I desire only such limitations to be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my'invention-z 1. The combination with an electrical conductor, and two electrolytic cells nor- Ina-11y connected in series relationshipbs:

tween the conductor and ground, of a transfer switch having a pair of pole members which, in one position, connect the cell that is. normally connected. to ground to said conductor, and disconnectyfrom circuit the cell that is normally connected to the line conductor from circuit, and means for auto matically returning the switch to reestablishnormalcircuit connections for said cells.

2. The combination with an electrical conduotor, andtwo electrolytic cells normally connected in series relationship, between the conductor and ground, of'a transfer switch provided with rotatable-blades disposed intermediate theterminals ofsaid cells where by one of them may be disconnected "from circuit and the othermay be connected ,tothe conductor.

3. The combination with two electrolytic cells normally connected in series relations'hip, one of saidcells having a terminalprovided with two-superposedcontact clips, of a multi-pole transfer'switeh having two superposed blades which may engage either ofsaid contact clips at" will. i

4. The combination-with two'electrolytic cells normally connected in series. relation{ ship, one of said cells having a terminal provided with two' superposedcontact clips, of a'transfer 'switch'haying a blade connected to groundand a'blade connectedxto ,a line conductor, said blades being superposed-on each other and rotatably mounted rto-engage said contact clips at will. K

v5; The combina tion-with an electrical ;c0nductor and ;two lightning arresters having two of their terminals permanently connected-toeach other, one of said arresters haw ing two -contact' members attached to i one of its terminals, of a ,rnulti-pole transfer switch having one pole connected to said electrical" conductor and another pole grounded. said switc'h in oneposition--connecting-one=nf said contact members to ground, and in another pos'ition connecti-ngthe other of saidcoirtact menibers to the electrical conductor;

'6'. The combination -with-an electrieajl conductor and two electrolytic condensers ihav ing two -o'ftheir terminals permanently connectedito each other, of -at'ransfer switch having a pair of blades'which, in I one -posi'-- tion, connects said condensers in series-relati'onship between the conductor and ground, and in another position connectsthe grounded cell directly tosaid electrical conductor and simultaneously 'disconnects the other'cell from circuit.

7. The combination with-a-pai'r of'line conductors. two electrolytic cells normally connected t'heretoand -ito a newtral point, and another electrolytic cell' normally connect ed between said neutral point and ground, of a "transfer switch comprising ;a pair of iIades --whih3iintonqp sitiun;

ground cell to connect it to ground and en- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto gages one of said line cells to connect it to subscribed my name this 9th day of July, one of said line conductors, and in another 1914.

position engages the ground cell to connect RAY P. JACKSON. 5 it to one of said line conductors and discon- Witnesses:

nects the aforementioned line cell from cir- O. W. A. On'rrmo,

cuit. B. B. Hmns.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner 0! Patenta, Washington, D. G." 

